If you’re planning to start day trading, you may wonder, “How many days is the stock market open a year?” Well, the answer to this question will vary with the year.
After all, there are 9 market holidays that can fall on weekends or weekdays. This will determine the number of trading days per year.
Understanding the Annual Schedule of Stock Market Open Days
NASDAQ and NYSE markets have an average of about 252 trading days annually. Therefore, the stock market is usually closed on 10 holidays every year and weekends.
If New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Independence Day, and Juneteenth fall on a weekend, then the next weekday will be a holiday.
On top of that, the trading hours are shorter on Christmas Eve, the day after Thanksgiving, and July 3rd. But if the shortened days fall on a weekend, then they’re skipped.
So, how many days is the stock market open a year? Well, in 2023, there were 250 trading days, while in 2022, there were 251 days.
Is the Stock Market Open on Veterans Day?
The NASDAQ and NYSE follow the Federal holidays for closing the market just like every industry. But they do open on certain holidays, including Veterans Day. Veterans Day stock market open during the regular hours.
Trading Hours and Schedule on Veterans Day
Unlike July 3rd, when the market is open up to 1:00 PM, the stock market hours Veterans Day are between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM. So as a trader, you shouldn’t skip Veterans Day since the market will be open, and you can trade.
Counting the Trading Days in a Stock Market Year
In 2023 there will be 250 stock market trading days, with each month having an average of about 21 trading days. April and February have fewer days (19), with August and March having the most days (23). Out of the 365 days, 105 are weekends.
9 out of the 10 holidays are weekdays. On top of that, the days after Thanksgiving and July 3rd will have shorter trading days.
Important Dates and Holidays Affecting Stock Market Trading
The market closes on:
- Christmas
- Thanksgiving Day
- Independence Day
- Juneteenth
- Memorial Day
- Good Friday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- New Year’s Day
